Wednesday, March 30, 2011

In a shocking turn of events, San Francisco Giants top prospect Brandon Belt is no longer that -- he will start at first base tomorrow night in the opener at Chavez Ravine against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Alex Pavlovic reported on Twitter that Belt would make the team. Belt will make his major league debut tomorrow night in a rivalry, opening day game.

""It feels great right now. Pretty much the most exciting moment of my life . . .(long pause) . . . besides my marriage," Belt told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.

This spring, belt batted .282 with 3 home runs and 13 RBIs in 71 at bats.

The last rookie first baseman to make his major league debut on opening day for the Giants? That would be none other than Will Clark.

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle also reported via twitter than Travis Ishikawa was designated for assignment to make room for Belt. Another team may pick him up, or he could be reassigned to AAA Fresno in 10 days.

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Aaron Rowand is the one who should be let go or sent down when Ross comes back -- not Belt.

The guy cannot hit anymore, and he chases a ton of pitches out of the strike zone. His plate approach has gotten worse by the year, and he has trouble laying off that slider in the dirt during key situations. Perhaps a change of scenery will help.

I saw on twitter that Schulman disagress and thinks Rowand has some value as a CF. That may be so, but I think the Giants have options in their own system that at least have a decent glove. At least a rookie prospect in the outfield can develop as a hitter -- all Rowand is doing is taking up space and regressing.

Rowand is a great guy. I do not want to bash on him, but I think it is time for a change of scenery.